Liverpool to Open Talks With Andoni Iraola as Next Manager

Liverpool are preparing to open formal talks with Andoni Iraola this week in an effort to appoint the 43-year-old as the club's next manager. Iraola left Bournemouth at the end of last season after guiding the club to a sixth-place finish, its highest in history. He previously spent three seasons at Rayo Vallecano before joining Bournemouth in 2023.

Hoeness and Lens' Pierre Sage remain under consideration, though Iraola is viewed as the frontrunner because he is currently available. AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Crystal Palace have also expressed interest in the Spaniard.

Background to the Search Liverpool dismissed Arne Slot on Saturday after the team recorded 60 points and lost 19 matches across all competitions. An internal review concluded that the club wanted a more urgent and aggressive style of play. Iraola worked with Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez during his time at Bournemouth.

Performance coach Ruben Peeters has already confirmed his departure, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sipke Hulshoff are also expected to leave.